Frank Lafata
The Issues
Learn where Frank stands on the issues important to the 91st district and compare his stance with that of his opponent, Pat Outman
Question: Where does Frank Lafata stand on the current budget stand-off in Lansing?
Answer: Frank Lafata believes that the budget has to be done on-time. He believes tough choices have to be made. When a family is in a tough spot, sometimes they cut their Netflix bill. Sometimes they go to thrift stores. But sometimes they pick up OT to increase their take-home pay. All these options have to be on the table for families so why aren't they for Lansing?
As State Representative, Frank Lafata will buck the party system and fight for his district. He'll insist on looking at every tough solution in order to work for families in the 91st.
Pat Outman takes his marching orders from his party in Lansing and Washington DC. He stood by as the latest DC budget took an axe to local schools and hospitals. Pat Outman stood by as benefits for veterans were cut. He told his constituents that "the money was there" for all their prioroties, but now he's insisting on tax cuts for the rich while our hospitals are closed down.
Question: Where does Frank Lafata stand on farming and help for farmers?
Answer: Frank believes that family farms are in danger of becoming extinct. Family farms should be a viable way to raise your family, whether you harvest corn, dairy, or sunlight.
As a State Representative, Frank Lafata will direct the department of labor and economics to strengthen a program that keeps family farms in the family so new generations of farmers do not have to sell their family's legacy to survive.
Pat Outman forces family farms into tough positions by restricting what famers can do on their own property. Now that's Big Government. His own family has a family business in gravel and concrete and this family can keep their business, but Pat doesn't work hard to make sure farmers can keep their farms.
Question: Where does Frank Lafata stand on healthcare?
Answer: The health of our neighbors is important to Frank. The most recent budget bill from Washington DC threatens our local hospitals and doctors. Seniors will have to drive further for care and medication. Parents will have to take more time off work if their children need medical care. And all of us will be paying more.
As a State Representative, Frank Lafata will make sure that the scarce dollars of our state budget get stretched to cover as many families as possible.
Pat Outman wants to take that money that should be for schools and give it back to business owners and corporations. Regular people struggle to maintain their health appointments and Pat Outman will make it harder for people to stay healthy.
Question: Where does Frank Lafata stand on Data Centers?
Answer: Frank welcomes all investment in our county, but Data Centers drive up the utility costs for citizens. As with any other growing industry or new company that wants to come in, we have to make sure that they are built, run, and operated in a way that gives priority to the residents of this district.
We have seen water and electricity prices rise dramatically were Data Centers are built. If Data Centers are truly the billion dollar industry that they claim, why do we have to pay extra for the water and electricity they use?
If Data Centers want our water, our electricity, and our data, they should pay for it! The lives and livelihoods of farmers sportsman, children, students, and everybody else who lives in this district will always come first for me.
Pat Outman believes that companies should be able to do what they want and there should be no curbs on their water or energy usage. And he wants energy companies to charge whatever they want to citizens without requiring them to keep their transmission systems up-to-date. Instead, he lets them pass regular maintenance back to consumers. That's double-dipping into our wallet!
Question: Where does Frank Lafata stand on AI?
Answer: We really need a national AI policy because it’s the Wild West and we’re looking at a huge bubble that can harm the economy.
I wish that Washington politicians would do their job and pass laws to secure our right to privacy and freedom, but if they won’t, I WILL! Artificial Intelligence is used by bad actors to commit fraud and there’s no guarantee that normal users even get good information from it.
As a State Representative, I will push for laws that say that any AI company looking to do business in Michigan but abide by a Michigan Citizens Bill of Rights for AI.
Pat Outman puts the priorities of billion dollar businesses ahead of the residents of his district. He says he believes in freedom, but he does not believe in the freedom of privacy and the rights of consumers to safe products.
Question: Where does Frank Lafata stand on money for 911 Dispatchers?
Answer: In our rural district, where there are great distances from hospitals, it's critical that our neighbors get quick responses from 911 Dispatchers. We need to create incentives to hire more dispatchers and give them the resources to do their jobs. We talk alot about the stress of Air Traffic Controllers, but our 911 Dispatchers are taking phone calls from our seniors, children, families, and people having real emergencies.
As a State Representative, Frank Lafata will make sure that the scarce dollars of our state budget get stretched to cover as many families as possible.
Pat Outman has continued the legacy of his father, Sen. Rick Outman by doing nothing to attract and retain 911 workers. He is sitting on his hands while critical emergency calls go unanswered. How many decades have the Outmans done nothing on this issue?
